Publication Date:
2020-01-17
Description:
An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was conducted for spring precipitation gauge data over northeast China (NEC). The first EOF mode is characterized by a homogenous rainfall pattern throughout NEC. The corresponding principal component has both significant interannual and interdecadal variations. This leading mode explains a large portion of the total NEC spring rainfall (NECSR) variances and is statistically independent from other higher modes. The physical processes responsible for the interannual and interdecadal variabilities were investigated via observational diagnoses and numerical experiments. On the interannual time scale, NECSR is mainly affected by the SST anomalies (SSTAs) in the northern tropical Atlantic Ocean. When the SSTAs are positive, the subsequently induced positive precipitation and convection can stimulate two quasi-barotropic Rossby wave trains over the mid- to high latitudes. A cyclonic anomaly center of the Rossby wave train appears over northeastern Asia, leading to a positive rainfall anomaly in the region. On the interdecadal time scale, NECSR is mainly influenced by the SSTAs over the warm-pool region. Positive SSTAs in the warm-pool region result in enhanced convection (ascending motion) around the Maritime Continent and suppressed convection (descending motion) over the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. This zonal dipole convection pattern stimulates a quasi-barotropic circulation pattern with an anticyclonic anomaly over the Tibetan Plateau and a cyclonic anomaly over northeastern Asia. The cyclonic anomaly over northeastern Asia enhances the NECSR. Numerical experiments further suggested that the convective heating anomaly over the Maritime Continent, rather than cooling over the central equatorial Pacific, plays a more essential role in driving the interdecadal rainfall variability of NECSR.
Print ISSN:
0894-8755
Electronic ISSN:
1520-0442
Topics:
Geography
,
Geosciences
,
Physics
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